“Imagine that you ingested the poison and needed to find the antidote in an unfamiliar city, among strangers, in just three days. And you can count only on yourself!” Watch the video of Drug Users News.
Odessa! Odessa is the city in which the first case of HIV infection in Ukraine was registered. That was in 1987. 30 years have passed since then. It is difficult to imagine how Odessa would look today if it had not embraced treatment for HIV-positive people, and if harm reduction programs had not started their work here.
Unfortunately, despite all the efforts of the state, activists, and professionals from non-governmental organisations, the AIDS epidemic still cannot be overcome here.
Odessa has become one of the five cities of the EECA cities project, where we conducted our video research. We opened it for ourselves for the first time, trying on the role of a foreign tourist whose life depended on how hospitable and professional the medical services of this port city would be. Imagine that you ingested poison and needed to find the antidote in an unfamiliar city, among strangers, in just three days. And you can count only on yourself! This is an example of what happened to us in Odessa. In addition to this, we filmed all our adventures for you.
Of course, everything ended well, and because of this research, we have gained knowledge about the strengths and weaknesses of services for drug users in this city. After watching this film, you will realise the same.
This is why we love our work so much, for new meetings with strong people who hold the lives and destinies of people in their hands! We met them here.
We will not make you wait any longer … Press PLAY and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of summer, sun, and human care. We are sure that you will be able to become friends with the heroes of this film. Enjoy your viewing.
(Turn on English subtitles by clicking on the CC button at the right bottom of the video.)
DU News